The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-10-21
NATURAL GAy
lola the Apparent Center of the
Greatest Nstdral Gas Fields
Mthe West.
Finest Fuel Yet Found in the World,
TO be had in Inexhaustible Quanti-
ties for Going After.
Its Utility Unq1estioned and Actually
Demonstrated in the Running of a
Powerful Engine.

Ii mas peen known Ior many years
that natural gas Was contained in the
strata underlying the city of lola. In
1871 the now famous lola mineral well
twas bored (the original purpose being
to prospect for coaD, and at depth of
621 feet strong flow of gas was struck.
For years and years the gas escaped in
untold volumes without suggesting to
any one the great work it might do if
it were properly utilized. About two
years ago. however. when the avail
ability os natural gas as fuel for manu-
featuring purposes WAS demonstrated
in 50 many Eastern towns and cities.
our business men were awakened, and
early last spring the lola Gas and Coal
Company was organized. Boring ma-
chinery was at once procured and work
began st a spot about half Il mile west
of the mineral well. At depth
of COZ feet a very strong flow
of gas was struck, and was the
occasion of much congratulation. By
unskillful management, however, the
well WAS allowed to fill with salt water
and had to be abandoned. The ma
chinerv was then leased to the lola
Carriage & Omnibus Company. and
work was begun on their grounds.
about mile north of the first we'll.
At depth of $50 feet 4
TREMENDOUS FLOW OF GAS
was struck. When ignited the fumes
leaped to a height of thirty and forty
feet, and a steam guage placed over
the pipe in few minutes registered Il
pressure of 13 pounds. although the
gas was but impeyfec,ly confined. Ex-
perts that had visited all the other
wells agreed in saying that this was
one of the strongest, if not
THE STRONGEST, IN THE STATE.
The boring machinery was removed
and in order that the value of the find
might be tested as soon as possible.
pipes were laid on top of ground and
the gas conducted to the furnace of the
forty horse power engine in the carr
riage works, about 800 yards distant.
The connections were of course i'm
perfect and the means of applying the
heat to the boilers of the crudest kind:
and yet in short time sufficient steam
was generated to run RI full speed all
the machinery in the building. So far
rs we know there is not another en-
CINE in the State run BY gas from
single well. But every day the sight
may be witnessed 1T the lola Carriage
Works. And it is a beautiful sight.
especially to the proprietcrs. No fire
man needed, no smoke, no ashes, no
cinders and. above all, no coal bill at
the end of the month. Simply two
Jets of fame burning steadily day and
night if needed; and vet the big en-
girc throbs, and the planes and saws
and other machines do their perfcc.
wcrhh-ali run by the
CHEAPEST FUEL IN THE WORLD.
All doubts. therefore. as to whether
or not natural gas could be found here
in sufficient quantities to be of value
As fuel. have been thoroughly diss;pated
by this practical demonstration. 1t is
not claimed, of course. that this one
well will furnish all that is needed for
every purpose. Bat the fact that gas
has been found at points SO widely
separated Git has also been found in Il
boring oaly 100 feet deep q few nil
north of town. Is conclusive evidelcc
that the gas bearing stratum underlics
our whole city, and that wells may be
sunk anywhere with absolute certainty
of success 1t is only a question then
of sinking the requisite number of
wells TO obtain sufficient gas for al
possible purposes, The Gas & Coal
Company have secured franchises from
the city permitting them to lay pipes
and mains. and they fully expect in
short time To be able TO supply
the town with fuel and lights
They are now at work on new
well, located short distance north of
the carriage works. Other wells will
he pat down. if necessary. but even the
most conservative admit that two or
three such wells as that just opened by
the carriage company viii supply
enough gas TO heat all the houses III
the city.
The importance Of this discovery
c1n not be over estimated. 4 similar
discovery has changed many village
in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and other
Eastern States. into city in an in
credibly short time There is every
reason TO believe that lola will have a
similar experience. Situated in the
midst OF fertile agricultural region.
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